Dharma Teachings - Category Archive

Thursday

Reflecting on ways to respond to the many changes we inevitably experience

by Susan Firer

The world at large and our own personal worlds are always in transition. We can accept this truth or we can wish it were different – either way, the nature of reality is that it is always in transition. One definition is: “a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another.” Simply put, change. Often, we can accept transitions without much thought, but then there are times when changes can be painful and a cause of suffering.

There was a time in my life that I had so many transitions going on at one time that it was quite overwhelming. I felt like I was floating through my days rather than touching the earth, or having my feet on the ground, so to speak. A friend noticed this and said to me, “you seem to be just skating across the ground.” He was right, and it was something I needed to hear. He put into words how I was feeling. Once he labeled it for me, I was able to pay better attention, to start looking at what I was doing, how I was doing it, and most importantly, why I was going through life in this way. Continue…

Entries filed under Dharma Teachings

Thoughts about the three gates (body, speech and mind), motivation, and warriorship
by Susan Firer
The Shambhala vision speaks of the inherent goodness and the innate wakefulness of human beings. The Shambhala teachings and our practices have the intention and power to open the door to compassionate care ... continuePosted May 5, 2018 by CGH

Reflections on the pleasures and value of retreat practice
by Susan Firer
Winter is such a beautiful time of year, especially in the country where the snow can stay white much longer than it can in the city. Winter is also a good time to slow down and ... continuePosted March 30, 2018 by CGH

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s Shambhala Day Address, and a greeting from the Sakyong Wangmo
Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center, February 16, 2018
The Kongma Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche:
Very good morning, everyone! You are looking beautiful, marvelous.
I would like to welcome everyone joining us worldwide to this Shambhala Day. I know this is being ... continuePosted February 20, 2018 by CGH

Shambhala Day messages from the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo
“Mistakes happen because of the nature of humanity. If we create a community that can work with mistakes, and have enough depth to deal with those challenges, then the community will thrive. As challenges arise, we will ... continuePosted February 19, 2018 by CGH

The second of two excerpts from An Ocean of Blessings, a book of teachings by Penor Rinpoche; this one emphasizes the practice of Dharma
We already possess enlightened mind, buddha nature; it has been there from the very beginning, but we cannot see it because of our ... continuePosted January 4, 2018 by CGH

Reflections on our tendency to escape whatever is actually happening, right now
by Susan Firer
The Wisdom of No Escape was the first Dharma book I read. It was written by Pema Chödrön, an American Buddhist Nun and Amazon has this to say as a summary of the ... continuePosted December 29, 2017 by CGH

The first of two excerpts from An Ocean of Blessings, a book of teachings by Penor Rinpoche; this one emphasizes putting the Dharma into practice
The most important thing is to have faith and trust in the Buddha’s words. The Buddha’s teachings were not taught to deceive ... continuePosted December 5, 2017 by CGH

An excerpt from the book Basic Sobriety: Shambhala Buddhism and the Twelve Steps
by Eric Rainbeau
Sitting with ourselves is the beginning of learning bravery, of learning to be with ourselves and the world without deception. This is the same bravery as learning to be in the world ... continuePosted November 29, 2017 by CGH

Some thoughts on suffering, in the Buddhist tradition and in the Shambhala teachings
by Larry Steele
It is said that the Buddha gave his first teachings at Deer Park, near what is now known as Varanasi, India. There, after years of searching and contemplation, he presented the four ... continuePosted November 5, 2017 by CGH

A practice for dispelling obstacles, and for working with realization of emptiness
by Russell Rodgers
The Exorcism Chant is a little known practice given to Shambhala practitioners by the Vidyadhara Trungpa Rinpoche. You can do it when specific obstacles come up, or more generally, to dispel obstacles in ... continuePosted October 29, 2017 by CGH

Video of the Kongma Sakyong’s talk for Harvest of Peace 2017
Click here to watch the video, and please remember to share images and stories from your Harvest of Peace celebrations. These bring great delight and inspiration to our readers, especially to those who practice on their ... continuePosted October 1, 2017 by CGH

A continuation of comments on A Supplication for Magnetizing the Phenomenal World
by Russell Rodgers
Vajrayogini
Some of the deities that arise in the next section of the chant are familiar to senior practitioners. Vajravarahi is also known as Vajrayogini. Padmaraja is an aspect of Padmasambhava. Kurukulla is another ... continuePosted September 22, 2017 by CGH

Comments on A Supplication for Magnetizing the Phenomenal World
by Russell Rodgers
Jamgön Mipham Gyatso
This is a less well-known optional morning chant that anyone can do. It was written by the great Jamgön Mipham Gyatso 1879. It belongs to a class of practices that are appropriate when special ... continuePosted September 20, 2017 by CGH

Exploring the mysteries and life lessons of knowing when to act, and when to wait
by Susan Firer
I’m waiting for something to arise in my mind to propel this piece of writing forward…waiting. Maybe that’s it: “waiting!” How often we think that we don’t have the time ... continuePosted July 18, 2017 by CGH

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